According to Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Trade, the country officially launched its very first new export shipment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Monday 30 June. By participating in this continental initiative, Namibia aims to stimulate its industrialisation and open up new outlets for its businesses, particularly SMEs.
On 30 June 2025, Namibia shipped its first export cargo under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from the strategic port of Walvis Bay. This move, overseen by the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT), illustrates the country’s desire to make intra-African trade a reality and to fully integrate into the single African market, in line with the ratified government agreement.
We are opening the private sector to the African continent to say that we have ratified this instrument; the African market is now open. Let us trade according to the rules of the FTAA. Africa must consume what it produces, and to do that, we must industrialise.
Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade
By joining a unified market of more than 1.3 billion people with a combined gross domestic product in excess of USD 3,400 billion, Namibia aims to transform its economy, while opening the way for cross-border services. In addition to manufactured goods, service sectors such as finance and healthcare will now be able to establish themselves more freely in AfCFTA member countries.
The AfCFTA offers Namibian companies a tremendous opportunity to expand their market presence, strengthen their competitiveness and contribute to economic growth and diversification.
Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade
This expedition is a strategic step, opening up new opportunities for Namibian exporters in the agro-industrial, manufacturing and logistics sectors, while stimulating economic diversification and job creation. The Minister also stressed the importance of supporting SMEs, which account for 80% of jobs in Africa and are often marginalised in international trade, in order to ensure inclusive participation.
